Application now available for Oregon home energy performance score systems

Since the fall of 2014, the Oregon Department of Energy has been working with a "stakeholder panel" that will eventually recommend whether to approve home energy performance score systems for use in Oregon. The panel recently made final an application form for those entities that may be interested in operating in the state. The form, as well as background about the panel, can be found here.

RETC brochures available

We have a brochure explaining how Oregon's Residential Energy Tax Credit program works. You can find out if you qualify for a tax credit and what types of energy systems and services qualify. If you would like copies of this brochure, please call us toll-free at 1-800-221-8035 or direct at 503-378-4040. The text of this brochure is also in the form of a webpage so that it can be translated into other languages. To view that page, please go here.

Can you imagine eliminating your electricity bill?

About 15 years ago, Bob and Judy Shiprack bought their own little slice of central Oregon near Prineville Reservoir. A few years later, they built a 1,300-square-foot cabin on the property. Someday, the couple that currently lives in southeast Portland may retire to their juniper-laden plot. If they do choose to live there full time, the couple will not have to worry much about electricity bills, thanks to the recent installation of a solar array... To continue reading, go here.

Is your family prepared for an extended power outage?

It is not very often that Oregonians have to suffer through an extended power outage. Because it rarely happens, many of us are not adequately prepared for one. To help you get through an outage in relative comfort, here is some helpful advice from our friends at Portland General Electric and Pacific Power.

How to choose a new water heater for your home

When selecting a new water heater for your home, choose a water heating system that will not only provide enough hot water but also that will do so energy efficiently, saving you money. This includes considering the different types of water heaters available and determining the right size and fuel source for your home. For more information, please go here.

Selecting a heating/cooling system for your home

The largest portion of the utility bill for a typical Oregon home is for heating and cooling. For every $100 we spend on utility costs, about $31 goes to heating and cooling. How do you know what to look for in a system for your home? What can you do to ensure you are getting the most for your money? To help answer these questions, please go here.

Changing your lightbulbs can have a big impact

If every American home replaced just one light bulb with a light bulb that's earned the ENERGY STAR, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save about $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equivalent to those from about 800,000 cars.

Have you ever looked at your home heating/cooling bill and asked yourself: Why is this bill so high? Or: How can I reduce this bill? Click on the link below to find out about the most common areas of inefficiency in a home and suggestions on how you can fix them. Also, the Energy Trust of Oregon offers a variety of assistance products for Oregon homeowners. For more information, go here.

19 places air can leave, enter your home

​Reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home is a cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs, improve durability, increase comfort, and create a healthier indoor environment. Caulking and weatherstripping are two simple and effective air-sealing techniques that offer quick returns on investment, often one year or less. Caulk is generally used for cracks and openings between stationary house components such as around door and window frames, and weatherstripping is used to seal components that move, such as doors and operable windows.